Joe Healy, Manager, of the High Potential Start-Up (HPSU) Division at Enterprise Ireland said: “Cultivating an environment that allows start-ups and entrepreneurs with global ambition to prosper is a key focus of Enterprise Ireland.

"Last year, we supported 181 high-quality start-ups that we believe have the potential to scale and expand in international markets. Crucially, 55% of these companies are based in regions outside of Dublin, in line with our strategic objective of driving growth at a regional level.

"Over one third were female-led start-ups, continuing our emphasis on supporting start-ups in under-represented sectors.”

One of them is Jason Sheehy from a company called Ikydz which produces a device to give parents the ability to control their children’s internet access in the home.

Mr Sheey has this advice for somebody thinking of setting up their own business.

He said: "If you believe in it, go for it because you'll regret it after the event.

"You'll always sit back and say 'what if I did, what if I didn't?' What's the worst that can happen, it may not work out, but hey, what if it works out?"

Start-ups supported by Enterprise Ireland in 2017 include:

90 new High Potential Start-Ups (HPSU) – start-up businesses with the potential to create 10 jobs and €1million in sales within three to four years of starting up;